The Risk Managers Society of Nigeria has issued an urgent call for intensive orientation in disaster prevention, readiness, and mitigation at both national and local levels.

The society’s president and chairman of the governing board, Abbas Idris, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

RIMSON’s call followed the May 27 downpour that led to flooding the following morning, claiming 160 lives so far, with properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

Mr Idris attributes the incident to heavy rainfall, poor drainage systems, deforestation, land use changes, soil erosion, river overflow, and climate change.

Condoling the government, the people of the state, and the victims, the president advocated for strengthening Niger’s early warning system, reforestation programme, community education, and land use planning.

He also recommended the development of emergency response plans and strengthening partnerships with non-governmental organisations.

These, according to him, will help strengthen the state’s preparedness and mitigation, drastically reduce the risk of flooding, and improve recovery efforts.

The recommendations will also help the Niger government to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of future flooding in the state.

At the national level, Mr Idris recommended the creation of the ‘Office of Risk Management of the Federation’ to coordinate and monitor risk management efforts across the country, considering it a national security issue.

RIMSON’s president also called for an upward review of budgetary allocations towards disaster prevention and providing relief to survivors.

He expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations would enhance existing disaster management efforts and proactively reduce avoidable tragic human and economic losses.

He commended the sustained efforts of all stakeholders, especially NiMet, in providing regular weather forecasts.

He reiterated RIMSON’s commitment to sustained advocacy in promoting risk management awareness and education till it becomes a national culture that results in a more resilient, safe and prosperous nation. 

(NAN)